The smell of the incoming storm was potent, by now every sleeper had become accustomed to its smell and what it meant, so they knew it gave way when it came to pass for if they didn't…well they didn't want to take the risk of getting in Jasper's way.
Jasper had grown aware of the sleepers actions to avoid him when he activated his aspect and he did not blame them, the sheer power he could output given the right circumstances was enough to obliterate any of them in an instant, their armours and protections meant nothing to a man who controlled a fundamental force of nature at his beck and call.
Still Jasper knew he didn't have enough space to deal any significant damage to the vermillion beast so he had to put his faith in the others to create an opening for him to dig his fangs deep into its flesh, running forwards the currents of electricity humming over his body like a tesla coil, with each step the arcs got faster and lasted longer and longer the humming in the air sounding like the wind itself was screaming.
Every second he spent running towards his goal he could feel the inhuman strength growing inside of him, as the start of his days as a sleeper, when it was just him and Damian travelling the wastelands of what was once called home he could have never imagined he would get this far, in truth he had expected the older man to abandon him a long time ago, used as bait or left for dead but no, the man had taken him into his care and that care had become trust.
Damian had come to trust Jasper in his abilities and limits, becoming somewhat of an authority figure in his life which he had not had for a very long time and now it was time to return that trust, he needed to trust that Damia could see what he planned before the dragon snuffed them out for good, so as he ran he stuck his free arm out, with his dagger griped in the other.
The dragon regarded the threat of the living storm with a fierce strike hoping to sever his body in two, the black claws came down like a thunderstrike themselves shattering the stones of the roof as Jasper slid underneath the strike before continuing his mad dash, making sure to cut across the scales with his dagger as much as he could, charring their surface yet still failing to break through, his dagger was simply not strong enough, a blade once seen as the sharpest tool in existence was now treated as a dull nuisance at best.
He ran past the Dragon, rolling over its tail as it attempted to knock him of course, thankfully his enhanced senses made the dragons attacks seem slower than before and his reactions much faster, he had learnt to conserve as much momentum as possible during their fights, learning the basics of using his body as a lever and how to keep himself balanced.
He had seen videos on the network many years ago, from people who moved from building to building, structure to structure in all forms of environments whilst conversing their momentum, he had become inspired by these practices and had been working hard to learn the basics to aid him in combat.
As he ran forward towards the figure endorsed by glistening plate armour, delicately engraved in beautiful patterns as the metal shimmered with a faint purple hue he opened his outstretched hand and locked eyes, they didn't need words any more, their joint experience together was more than enough. They had discussed something like this in the past but never had the opportunity to make it a reality.
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Damian's eyes were as sharp as ever, the inhuman amber glow that emanated from them shone with fierce intelligence, no words were needed as he followed in Jasper's plan and extended his own arm out, bracing himself for the pain which was sure to follow, the thundering steps making the ground shake as cracks appeared in the floor under Jaspers every step.
Soon he was upon him, a blur of a man contorted and hidden by the visage of a primordial storm, gritted his teeth as he felt Jasper's hand clasp around his arm and he did the same back as he continued to move forward, Damian felt as he was dragged backwards at incredible speed as terrible pain shot through his arm, if it wasn't for his inhuman constitution and incredible armour he was sure he would have lost the limb. The pain was mind numbing yet he couldn't let himself lose focus.
Whilst still in motion he began to spin around as he pulled the weight of Jasper with him, spinning on his hills as they dragged across the stone unable to plant his feet solidly on the ground and yet he still managed to drag his friend around, making a full one hundred and eighty degree turn before releasing his grip as Jasper rushed forward with a thundering boom, Damian's arms was dragged comfortably as a loud popping noise echoed from its socket.
Falling to one knee he dropped his bow as he cradled his shoulder with his hand as he looked up as Jasper was once again running towards the Dragon, sparks of brilliant light appearing as he forced him arm back in place before grasping at the woven sparks, his speed so fast that the beast barely had time to react before it was upon him.
Damian ran forward as he watched the dragon lower its head as a brilliant light built in its maw as it prepared to incinerate the younger man, as the flames spewed from its maw a figure burnt and disfigured with his armour melted into his flesh lurched forward. Holding his melted blade high as he swiftly dug the molten blade into the dragon's eye, the head of the beast turned away as the flames stretched forward as it threatened to engulf a group of unprepared sleepers.
The sleepers watched as the light of the flames approached them with frightening speed, the young shieldmaiden stood stunned at how quickly her life would come to an end, it was a miracle she had survived the assault on the legion but now it seemed her luck had run out. A she prepared for death she felt a push and she fell to the ground some distance away, looking up she saw a gaunt young man standing in her place, the man had been ostracised by most of the others yet she had always found him oddly endearing, seeing the slight brilliance behind his otherwise terrible jokes, even if his delivery could use some work.
Jest wondered why he had just done that, putting someones leses life above his own was unlike him in every way, he had learned to be selfish and to only focus on yourself from a young age by the harsh reality of the regime, forced to work day in and day out to be able to make a living just like all those under its rule. For once and the last time in his life he had decided to do at least one act of good for the world, both realities were better off with the shieldmaiden in them he thought, he was doomed to die sooner rather than later anyway so why not make it mean something in the end, he watched as the flames rushed forwards threatening to swallow him whole.
The young shieldmaiden watched in horror as the flames consumed the people she had been fighting side by side with since entering this strange and terrible place, the people she had come to respect and even feel a connection to. Failing to notice what else was happening in front of her. Yet as the flames resided she was stunned to see the sleepers alive and well with looks of shock written all over their faces as they looked at the front of them all, as a man wearing glistening armour was now standing as blood pooled underneath him, accented by a coiling chain wrapped around his arm.